Philosopher's Faculty Scholar award is 'about time'

Feb. 7, 2002

KALAMAZOO -- Described by a colleague as exhibiting "dynamic,
relentless brilliance," a WMU faculty member who is considered
to be one of the world's leading and "most prolific"
philosophers will receive Western Michigan University's highest
faculty honor this month.

Dr. Quentin Smith, professor of philosophy, has been named
the University's 2001 Distinguished Faculty Scholar. The award
will be presented during the University's joint Faculty Senate
meeting and Academic Convocation at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7,
in Kirsch Auditorium of the Fetzer Center.

The Distinguished Faculty Scholar award, established in 1978,
recognizes those whose work constitutes a significant body of
achievement, most of which has been accomplished while a faculty
member at WMU. Nominations are sought campuswide for recipients,
who also must have a wide body of recognition beyond the University.
The award includes a plaque and a $2,000 cash award. As an award
recipient, Smith also will have $2,000 added to his base salary.

Smith, who joined WMU's faculty in 1993, is recognized internationally
for his pioneering theories of the philosophy of time. According
to Smith's nominators for the award, his 1993 book "Language
and Time" established him as a "world-class authority
on the philosophy of time."

"Every philosopher working on theories of time must take
into account his theory and the novel arguments he has invented
to support it," one nominator wrote.

Smith has branched out from the philosophy of time and become
as renowned for his work in the philosophies of language and
religion and cosmology. He is the author or co-author of six
books, including "The Felt Meanings of the World: A Metaphysics
of Feeling," "The New Theory of Time," and "Theism,
Atheism and Big Bang Cosmology." Six more books are under
contract. In addition, he has had more than 100 articles published
in leading philosophical journals, which, according to one supporter,
have 90 to 95 percent rejection rates.

"Professor Smith, in my opinion, is one of the leading
philosophers in the world today," wrote a colleague in support
of Smith's nomination. "He is barely at the midpoint in
his career and has already accomplished more than most would
accomplish in five lifetimes."

Smith also has been lauded for his contributions to his peers.
One supporter stated that "Smith brings out the best in
others."

"He is willing to carefully read, comment on and encourage
philosophers to write the best possible articles for the anthologies
he had commissioned them for," the supporter wrote. "He
is dedicated not only to consistently writing philosophy at the
highest level he is capable of, but also exhorting (and helping)
others to do the same."

A fellow WMU philosopher pointed out that Smith has also done
much for the stature and success of Department of Philosophy
and the University.

"When Smith joined the department, the master's program
was in its infancy. His scholarly reputation, as well as his
individual efforts, led to the program recruiting highly talented
students," the colleague wrote. "A number of these
students went on to attain professional recognition of their
own and the master's program is now ranked among the top 10 master's
programs in the country."

Smith is the current editor in chief of Philo: The Journal
of the Society of Humanist Philosophers. He received Rockefeller
awards in both 1984 and 1986 as well as a $20,000 award from
the American Council of Learned Societies. His philosophical
prowess also has garnered media attention, with Smith being featured
in four PBS television and radio programs in recent years.

"The sheer quantity of his work is simply staggering,"
wrote a nominator and departmental colleague of Smith's. "Many
of us are experiencing the effect of being in contact with dynamic,
relentless brilliance, becoming ourselves better philosophers.
And yet, [Smith] somehow conveys the feeling that we are all
his equals and, indeed, his betters. It's a pleasant illusion
he creates."

Smith earned a doctorate in philosophy in 1977 from Boston
College and a bachelor's degree from Antioch College in 1974.

As part of his award, Smith has been invited to give a presentation
to the University community at a Distinguished Faculty Scholar
Colloquium. The date, time and location of that event will be
announced later.